Expect rain, says weatherman

MOST parts of the country have already started receiving rain that has been predicted by the National Weather Service to continue throughout this week.
Assisting director, Jimmy Gomoga said this yesterday, adding that other parts of the country not experiencing rainfall should expect some rain later in the week.
“The Mamose, Highlands and the New Guinea Islands will be receiving moderate to heavier rainfall all throughout this week and into the weekend,” he said.
Gomoga said there was potential impacts of flooding, lightning strikes and landslides in the highlands that people should be aware.
“Port Moresby, Daru, Popondetta and the Central will see rain occurring later this week while rain in Milne Bay has already set it.”
He said the whole country should expect light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms with risk of lightning strikes.
“Moderate north-west winds with moderate seas in the Coral, Bismarck and Solomon seas pose potential risk to small boats.”
Gomoga said the hailstorm that occurred in the Western Highlands on Christmas Day, last year, could have been caused by severe thunderstorms in the area.
“Thunderstorms produce hailstorms and the duration of the hailstorm is determined by how long the thunderstorm goes and its severity.”
He said hailstorms could also be forecasted but lack of resources and expertise in those areas affects forecasts on frost and hailstorms in the Highlands.
Gomoga said at the moment, there was only one weather station in Kundiawa, Chimbu in the Highlands.
Meanwhile, he said the devastating bushfires in Australia does not pose any threat and will not have any impact on PNG regarding the weather.